The finalist judged to have presented the best solution to one of the “global grand challenges” of learning, energy, environment, food, health, prosperity, security, water, space, disaster resilience and governance in the SingularityU South Africa Global Impact Competition (GIC), will be announced tonight in Johannesburg.

The competition is the first time Silicon Valley-based Singularity University has held the competition in South Africa. It was launched in February in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), the main sponsor of the competition.

The SingularityU South Africa GIC was open to applicants throughout South Africa, and acts as a platform to identify outstanding local entrepreneurs, leaders in science, engineering and business with the most innovative ideas for positively impacting millions of lives, both locally and globally through the use of technology.

The 10 finalists were selected from 48 entries. They are:

Neo Hutiri – Technovera

Bernelle Verster – Merah Mas Industrial Biotech

Ifthakaar Shaik – IntelliDoc

Mukesh Dheda – National Department of Health

Bandile Dlabantu – Khepri Innovations Pty Ltd

Jared Roberts – Entrepreneur

Pascále Henke – The Happiness Network

Nick Walker – Next Biosciences

Pieter Botes – I’m not Plastic

Wolfgang von Loeper – MySmartFarm

Finalists will be judged by judges including entrepreneurs, bankers, a medical doctor and an attorney. Judges include:

The winner will attend Singularity University’s 10-week Global Solutions Program (GSP) in Silicon Valley later this year. On returning to South Africa after the GSP, the winner will have the opportunity to develop the winning project, supported by the SingularityU global alumni network. The 2nd – 5th place finalists will have access to the Business Accelerator programme offered by First National Bank which will provide business support and individual guidance for three months.